Sbp newsletter september 2011

Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership Partners’ News September 2011

In this issue: Partners News

Page No.

Reptiles in Ipswich Harvest mice in linked up habitat doing better than those in isolated pockets Ground beetle studies in the Brecks Wet woodland mapping using remote sensing techniques Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project news GeoSuffolk’s County Geosites Suffolk’s County Wildlife Sites – a new procedure for designation and a new web presence Seaweed East in Suffolk Butterfly notes

Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership News Information and news What’s on SBP information

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PARTNERS NEWS Reptiles in Ipswich Matt Berry, Ipswich Wildlife Rangers The Wildlife Rangers are part of the Parks & Open Spaces team that manages over 500Ha of parkland in Ipswich. A major function of the Ranger team is to increase the biodiversity of the parks and, where possible, enhance wildlife corridors to strengthen links between them. In order to target resources in the best and most efficient way possible the Rangers carry out regular wildlife surveys to audit the species that are present and to try and gauge population size and densities.

This in turn provides vital data to steer the most effective way of managing sites to balance protection of wildlife and access for the public.

This year the Rangers have been working with local ecologists George Millins and Marc Woolnough to survey a number of sites in Ipswich for reptiles. All species of reptile in England have been in decline in recent decades due to loss and fragmentation of habitat, inappropriate land management for reptiles and, to a lesser degree, persecution due to unjustified fear or a lack of

Common lizard Photo Matt Berry

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understanding and predation by domestic animals. The Rangers hope to help tackle some of these factors in Ipswich, to encourage people understand and care about reptiles.

The full results of the surveys are not available yet but it seems that the scenario facing us is that Grass Snake is the most prevalent species in the parks, with a much smaller number and size of Slow Worm and Viviparous Lizard populations. This is perhaps not surprising; Grass Snake are the most mobile of the three species and is able to travel far more easily between areas of suitable habitat (including gardens). In contrast Slow Worm ands Lizards are far less mobile and thus are prone to demise where habitat is not available to support viable populations.

The Rangers will use the data from the surveys to design and implement a series of measures to improve and increase habitat and enhance site connectivity.

Areas with existing populations will be targeted first, with new habitat being Grass snake seen during the survey at Landseer created such as long grass meadow, scrub Park. Photo Matt Berry and log, compost or rubble pile refuges for breeding and hibernation purposes. Work will start in the autumn at a number of locations and will continue during 2012.

In order to promote reptiles and educate the public, particularly children, the Rangers also teamed up with ‘Wild Encounters’ to host a number of special events around the town.

Marc at Wild Encounters educates and inspires children about reptiles, both exotic and native, and allows the children to get close to them – an unforgettable experience for many that may not have even seen a reptile before. The Rangers also told visitors about the parks and took them on a walk to show them how they are being managed to help reptiles and other wildlife.

In 2012 Marc and the Rangers will run Wild Encounter workshops in a number of Ipswich high schools around the town, to promote reptile conservation and to involve local children in projects to create reptile habitat in school grounds or in Parks.

Marc Woolnough from Wild Encounters at the Park event Photo Matt Berry

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Harvest mice in linked up habitat doing better than those in isolated pockets Martha Meek, Suffolk Wildlife Trust Harvest mice communities in Living Landscapes - areas linked up to other natural habitats - are doing better than those living in isolated pockets of habitat. This was the conclusion drawn by Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s two and a half year harvest mice study.

Other findings show that rather than being confined to wheat fields the mice actually favour rough grassland found in field margins, the edge of reedbeds and the thick vegetation on riverbanks to make their characteristic round nests. Although the study shows the mice are more widespread than previously thought, they are not as common as they used to be and remain extremely vulnerable to habitat loss.

The harvest mouse project, which started in 2009, built on the success of the Suffolk Barn Owl project by analysing barn owl pellets from all over Suffolk for signs of harvest mouse remains.

Trained volunteers collected these from hundreds of barn owl nesting sites as a means of locating harvest mouse hotspots and used this initial information to select where fieldwork effort should be concentrated.

This involved searching for nests and recording land use. In the final phase of the project we used the information gathered to deliver pro-active, site based landowner advice and training on encouraging the mice. Our work on previous wildlife projects has shown that positive action by landowners can turn around a critical situation for dwindling populations.

Harvest mouse nest Photo: Martha Meek

It is really easy to manage land for harvest mice and they usually move in quite quickly. We are recommending to farmers that they leave rough grass margins around their fields and on other areas of the farm. Wild bird and game cover crops containing millet also seem to be attractive to the mice. To other landowners, including people with reasonable sized gardens, we would also suggest they leave a good area of long grass and cut it in rotation every four or so years.

Farmland habitat (left) and wetland habitat (right) suitable for harvest mice Photos: Martha Meek

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The harvest mouse Micromys minutus has suffered a huge decline in numbers since the 1970s due to land use changes and habitat loss, and is listed as a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species. It is the UK’s smallest rodent weighing about the same as a 20p coin!

Harvest mice build characteristic woven nests up to a metre above ground level which are most visible in autumn when they stand out as withered grassy balls.

The Trust’s vision of a Living Landscape for Suffolk will restore, recreate and reconnect 30,000 acres of habitat around their nature reserves and link them through a web of wildlife-rich countryside across the county. Connecting habitats with natural corridors allows wildlife to expand or move in response to threats such as climate change. Living Landscapes work for people as well as wildlife, connecting towns and villages to the countryside, supporting strong communities, sustainable farming and boosting local economies.

Ground beetle studies in the Brecks Paul Lee, Hymettus Hymettus (www.hymettus.org.uk) is a small charity dedicated to research underpinning the conservation of British invertebrates. Over the last 18 months some of its funding has been supporting work on three species of beetles with strongholds in the Norfolk and Suffolk Brecks. Coleopterist John Walters is collating existing information on the beetles and spending time in the field checking their distribution and gathering ecological data.

The three beetles he is working with are the Wormwood Moonshiner Amara fusca, the Brush-thighed Seedeater Harpalus froelichii and the Set-aside Downy-back Ophonus laticollis.

Amara fusca is a small (7.5 – 8.5 mm) seed-eating ground beetle. The presence of its main food plant, Field Wormwood Artemisia campestris, seems to be the key limiting factor in the distribution of the beetle. A. fusca will feed on Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris but such populations do not appear to be as strong and it seems likely that if this food plant were suitable then the beetle would be more widely distributed in Britain. In recent years the beetle has been reliably found at just three sites in the Brecks - Brandon Artemisia Reserve, Wangford roadside and Maidscross Hill.

Amara fusca Photo John Walters

Brandon Artemisia Reserve supports the strongest population of the beetle and its food plant.

Worryingly no Field Wormwood plants (or beetles) were found when John visited Wangford roadside and Maidscross Hill in 2010. On a more positive note he did find the beetle at Brandon and a new site at Weeting has been discovered this year.

Amara fusca habitat at Brandon, Suffolk Photo John Walters

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Ophonus laticollis is medium sized (8 - 11 mm long) seed-eating ground beetle which inhabits partially vegetated ground such as field margins on chalky soil. The best known British site for O. laticollis is at Gallows Hill, Thetford. However, the Hymettus work has identified several other locations for the beetle, both around Thetford and further afield to Rackheath.

Set-aside Downy-back Ophonus laticollis Photo John Walters

Harpalus froelichii is a medium sized (8.5 – 10.5 mm long) ground beetle. Its known distribution is centred on the Brecks where it feeds on the seeds of fat hen Chenopodium album growing in sandy disturbed ground such as field margins. Recently, Butterfly Conservation established about 60 bare ground plots in the Brecks by turf-stripping and rotovation. This work was targeted at the conservation of Grey Carpet Moth Lithostege griseata and other insects and plants typical of early successional habitats. The plots vary in size Harpalus froelichi Photo John Walters from a few square metres to narrow strips of over 200 metres long. John is utilising these plots to investigate the viability of habitat creation for H. froelichii by soil disturbance in areas close to existing colonies of the beetle.

A number of these plots were searched in 2010 producing positive results from Aspall Close, Mildenhall and Ramparts Field. No beetles were found in four plots at Kings Forest, three plots at Cranwich Heath and two plots at Maidscross Hill. Initial results suggest creation of bare ground plots appears to be an effective method of creating habitat for this beetle as long as C. album is present in sufficient quantity to provide enough seed to support the beetle. John will be revisiting the turf stripped areas later this year to continue his observations.

Further information on John’s work is presented in the Hymettus annual report for 2010 available from the Hymettus website www.hymettus.org.uk. A final report of his work will appear on the website next year.

Wet woodland mapping using remote sensing techniques Ben Heather, Suffolk Biological Records Centre Wet woodland is a habitat that lacks comprehensive mapping coverage in Suffolk, but using remote sensing techniques this is starting to be resolved by Suffolk Biological Records Centre. Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about a subject without making physical contact. In ecological habitat mapping, it is a way of using data to make an educated guess of what habitat exists at a specific place.

This study has exclusively used MasterMap (an OS product) to make a presumption on how wet a piece of woodland is. MasterMap is a GIS (geographic information system) compatible product that contains vectorised mapping data in the form of lines, points and polygons with inferred data about each object stored within. Using MasterMap and the

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data it contains, it was possible to extract woodland polygons and specify their type; coniferous, deciduous and mixed, the latter two to be used for this study.

MasterMap also maps water features as lines (Fig. 1). This not only covers larger water courses like the major rivers but also smaller tributaries, streams and even ditches and open drains. Using the linear water features (i.e. not ponds) with the woodland polygons it was possible to calculate the proportion of water lines per area for each mapped wood and assume its relative wetness.

Fig. 1

Linear water features are shown as lines by Mastermap.

However, using GIS (Mapinfo in this instance) to calculate the proportional sum of water lines within each woodland polygon created several anomalies and some key sites were subsequently excluded in error. While Mapinfo can quickly and efficiently work out how much one polygon intersects another, it struggles to answer the question consistently across the dataset when you ask it to calculate lines over polygons.

A fresh approach was therefore applied, whereby water lines were buffered by 1m to create water polygons and the proportion of overlapping water line length was worked out.

This was achieved by asking Mapinfo to calculate the overlapping perimeter and then dividing this figure by 2. Anyone who uses GIS on a regular basis would be right in thinking that this was not as simple as it sounds. A few more processes needed to be applied to ensure a reliable and accurate result. The datasets also had to be broken down into small enough chunks for the computer to be able to process it all without freezing.

The end result is a map of deciduous and mixed woodland in Suffolk with a column that gives a figure for the length of water lines per hectare for each polygon. Fig. 2 shows all positive results (i.e. containing water features) that were above 0.25 ha in size.

However, the figure for the length of water lines per hectare can be used in a thematic map to show which woods are wetter than others (Fig. 3). Fig. 3 shows the Scotland Fen area of Rendlesham forest with polygons coloured red being wetter than those in light yellow.

The next stage of this project will be to choose a cut off point with the line length per hectare column and create a final wet woodland mapping layer where the wetter sites will be filtered from the rest.

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Once finalised, this remote sensing project can be enhanced into an extremely useful mapping layer with the valued input of local experts to test whether the method used has successfully captured known examples of wet woodland without too many errors.

Although there are several limitations to the method used in this project and the fact that the end result relies on the accuracy of the MasterMap data, it is a brilliant starting point for future work and enhances our knowledge significantly.

Fig. 2. Deciduous and mixed woodland in Suffolk above 0.25 ha in size and containing water features

Fig. 3

Fig. 3. Scotland Fen area in Rendlesham Forest; red polygons are wetter than the light yellow polygons.

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Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project news Neil Catchpole, DVSVP ‘From one extreme to another’ is the phrase that just about sums up the weather conditions in 2011 with a parched spring and drenched summer. We have seen the consequences for many species of flowering plants, birds and animals, with disrupted heading dates, nesting times, brood sizes and survival rates.

Some species have benefitted and one example would appear to be the Barn-owl within the Stour Valley, reaping a rich harvest from the high numbers of Voles and other small mammals this year. One exceptionally early clutch of six was fully fledged by mid-June, with a late second brood of four on the same site which will not fledge until late October.

This extended season means that we will hopefully have a record total of thirty-nine young Barn-owls from the boxes that we monitor within our project area.

Through the ‘ Managing a Masterpiece’ project, fifty-seven of the old established pollard Willows between Flatford and Stratford St. Mary were re-pollarded early this year and have shown an impressive recovery, with over 8 ft. of re-growth. Using poles cut from the original pollards, we planted twenty-five new ‘instant pollards’ along the riverbank within substantial cattle guards. The setts were 12 ft. in length and of 3-4” top diameter, planted 4 ft. deep, having been soaked in a side-stream for 2-3 weeks to encourage root-growth before planting. A few weeks after planting all side shoots were rubbed off to within 18” of the top of the sett and the top shoots allowed to grow on.

Willow setts soaking Photo Neil Catchpole

This initial success has been particularly encouraging as we were very keen to perpetuate the genetic material from the original pollards, some of which we estimate to be up to 300 years old.

However it is early days and the first winter will be the most critical time, with the difficult decision of how severely to prune back this top-growth, in order to prevent it from getting too proud and spelching off next summer. Time alone will tell!

The Native Black Poplar project has suffered recent set-backs in the form of what we think may be a soil- or water-borne infection in the clone-bank, coupled with the double shock of a breach in the rabbit fence around the nursery plot, resulting in the loss of all our rooted setts. All is not lost though, as we have managed to find a suitable alternative site and with the help of a generous grant from Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership, we hope to soon be back in a position to once again supply trees for planting out in the Stour valley and the wider landscape.

Rabbit damage in the Native Black Poplar clone-bank Photo Neil Catchpole

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GeoSuffolk’s County Geosites Caroline Markham, GeoSuffolk Suffolk is fortunate to have a wealth of geodiversity, with 40+ geological SSSIs. These include national treasures such as Orfordness - one of three major shingle landforms in the British Isles and the only one which combines a shingle spit and a cuspate foreland, and Richmond Farm pit, Orford - an important exposure of Suffolk’s unique rock, the Coralline Crag, birthplace of our modern flora and fauna.

GeoSuffolk is adding to this portfolio of Suffolk geosites; in its early days with 8 RIGS (Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites) and more recently with 13 Public CGS (County Geosites). These non-statutory sites are selected using four criteria – education, scientific interest, aesthetic value and historical context – according to the guidelines given by GeoConservationUK (see www.ukrigs.org.uk ). The term RIGS has been superseded in most counties now and the recently published UK Geodiversity Action Plan (see http://www.ukgap.org.uk ) uses the term Local Geological Sites. (GeoSuffolk uses the term County Geosites.)

Suffolk RIGS and Public CGS fall into three main categories: 1. Landforms - component parts of our Suffolk landscape.

• Demonstrating active processes – Bridge Wood, Nacton; Newbourne Springs; Spa Gardens, Felixstowe; Holywells Park, Ipswich.

• Relic ‘ice age’ landforms – Cavenham Heath; Bugg’s Hole, Thelnetham; the erratic at Needham Lakes; Knettishall Heath.

Norwich Crag gravels in Westleton Heath pit were laid down in coastal waters about 1½ -2 million years ago and represent the last major marine incursion across Suffolk.

2. Geology – exposures are our windows on the past.

• Cliffs and other natural exposures – Dunwich Cliff; Dunwich Heath Cliff; Nacton Cliff; Thorpeness Cliff.

• Pits, quarries and other man-made exposures – Calke Wood pit, Rickinghall; Railway Pit, Sudbury; Newbourne Great Pit; Butley Forest Pit; Westleton Heath; Westleton Common.

3. Buildings- vernacular buildings using local materials.

• Wantisden Church; Chillesford Church; All Saints Church, Sutton.

Suffolk is doubly blessed in that large tracts of its beautiful and varied landscape are in public ownership, and all of these sites (apart from the Calke Wood Pit) have some degree of public access. GeoSuffolk’s site records are held in Ipswich Museum and registered with the Suffolk Biological Records Centre. So far, all eight RIGS and four of the CGS have undergone condition monitoring, with plans to monitor further CGS in 2012. It is also hoped to designate a further small number of CGS during the course of the next two years.

Westleton Heath pit Photo Caroline Markham

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Westleton Heath pit was quarried for gravel in the mid 20th century and shows Norwich Crag gravels. These were laid down in coastal waters about 1½ -2 million years ago and represent the last major marine incursion across Suffolk. The attractive grey cobbles are enhanced by the heathland vegetation in this area of open access land on the RSPB reserve.

Suffolk’s County Wildlife Sites – a new procedure for designation and a new web presence Phil Watson, Suffolk County Council All the information about the background to, and designation of, County Wildlife Sites in Suffolk is now on the Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership website. The procedure for designation has been updated and streamlined and the form to submit sites to the panel for designations is available to download online. The intention is that the new page and downloads will provide comprehensive and transparent information about the designation of local wildlife sites and the remit and work of the County Wildlife Site Panel. www.suffolkbiodiversity.org/wildlife-sites.aspx

Seaweed East in Suffolk Gen Broad, Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership This summer a group of marine conservationists undertook a pioneering survey of the North Sea coast.

Our coast doesn't get the attention it deserves and the team, put together by Seasearch East's Dawn Watson and Rob Spray, undertook surveys from Essex to Northumberland to highlight how special these seas are.

Britain's North Sea coast tends to be difficult to SCUBA dive due to silty conditions, strong currents and poor visibility. However, in recent years divers have shown that there is a wealth of marine life present, particularly around the chalk reefs. North Norfolk's chalk reef is the longest in Europe. It was amateur data showing unusual and unknown species alongside stunning rock formations that attracted the team of high profile experts to undertake the survey.

Members of the Seaweed East

The Suffolk and Norfolk surveys were filmed by the team and BBC staff at Orford BBC for a half hour documentary 'Britain's Great Reef' Ness. Photo: Sarah White which aired on 6th October on BBC1 East. The programme discussed the amazing reef and its wildlife, and the possible creation of Marine Conservation Zones with footage of the chalk arches and the vibrant ecosystem of the shallow chalk.

The event was organised to show that although seaweed may not be the most glamorous aspect of marine wildlife, it is the foundation of healthy and diverse ecosystems. There have been surveys in the past, but in some counties the reference collection of algae is more than 100 years old. This was a chance to refresh and extend our knowledge of the life off our shores.

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In Suffolk, the surveyors worked from the jetty on Orford Ness, both in the water and from the jetty itself. Algae specimens were pressed to form a reference collection and for future identification under laboratory conditions.

Two of the team members donned their wet suits, masks and snorkels to check underneath the jetty and on the surfaces of other structures.

The team’s hard work paid off, with the discovery off West Runton of one species of Hymedesmia sponge previously unknown to science, and many more species recorded, some of which had not been expected on the East coast.

The survey recorded 352 wildlife species, adding 75 new records for Suffolk from Orford Ness and from near Lowestoft. The number of species recorded from each group are shown below: Collecting algae specimens on Sponges 4 Orford Ness jetty.

Photo: Rob Spray Cnidarians 9 Worms Crustaceans Molluscs Echinoderms Seasquirts Fishes Sea spider Algae Total

4 8 7 2 3 2 1 35 75

More than 20 people took part in the survey, travelling from The Blackwater Estuary in Essex north to Seahouses in Northumberland via Orford Ness, Team members checking under Sheringham and Hunstanton, Gibraltar Point, Orford Ness jetty Photo: Sarah White Flamborough Head, Robin Hoods Bay and Seaham in Durham. Dr Claire Goodwin of National Museums Northern Ireland, Professor Juliet Brodie of the Natural History Museum, Dr Lin Baldock and Dr Frances Dipper all provided advice and support to the event. All generously volunteered their time and worked late into the nights of the intense trip itinerary. Other team members included enthusiastic volunteers and local people who donated their time and covered the majority of their own costs to support this unique event.

The event achieved a high level of national publicity thanks to the discovery of a new species of sponge. To see the sponge in The Guardian, click here

Starlet sea anemone (BAP species) recorded at Orfordness Photo: Gen Broad

In Suffolk, a number of people ensured that the event got off the ground and ran smoothly.

A big ‘Thank You’ to the National Trust on Orford Ness who provided comfortable overnight accommodation and to all the staff who provided wonderfully patient logistical help. Thank you too, to the Environment Agency who made a generous financial contribution, thus ensuring that the Suffolk component of the report will be completed in due course. Nick Blacker donated specimens from the Lowestoft area. Rob Spray and

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Dawn Watson are great champions of the marine world, constantly working hard to increase our knowledge of Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk marine ecosystems.

Butterfly Notes Rob Parker, Butterfly Conservation July: the Silver-washed Fritillaries re-appeared in most of the Suffolk woods that hosted them last year, and several more besides. There is a recurrent theme of them turning up in woods where White Admirals also fly. This year they turned up in 10 woods to my knowledge. All this is very promising for the long-term re-colonisation of Suffolk.

September: after several very quiet weeks, we have had a few bright days and the ivy blossom is now attracting Red Admirals in good numbers. There are some Commas too, but vey few Small Tortoiseshells or Peacocks. Some Painted Lady are also being seen, particularly near the coast. All of these Vanessids are in good condition, and are probably freshly emerged, although there might have been a small scale immigration too.

Judged by my own transect count (outskirts of Bury St Edmunds) this has been joint equal with 2007 as the worst year of the 12 seasons I have been doing the walk.

The poor season in Suffolk reflects the national picture. Butterfly Conservation report that UK butterflies have suffered following the coldest summer for 18 years, as revealed by the world's biggest butterfly count. More than 34,000 people took part in the survey, seeing 322,000 butterflies and day-flying moths. But the survey found that the average number of individual butterflies seen per count was down by 11% compared with last year's figures.

The 6 most commonly seen species in the Big Butterfly Count were Gatekeeper, Small White, Large White, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral and Peacock.

To read the article, visit Butterfly Conservation website >

Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership News ™ Annual Planning & Biodiversity Seminar 2011 Although SBP and Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership have been organising this popular event for planners for 7 years, it remains fresh and topical each year. In 2011, there were a record number of participants (more than 70) welcomed to the new British Trust for Ornithology venue in Thetford.

The aim of the event is to provide an overview of the latest national and county-level developments and best practice related to spatial planning, development control and biodiversity. It also provides an excellent opportunity for local authority staff to exchange experience and best practice examples at an inter-county level.

Mike Oxford of the Association of Local Government Ecologists (ALGE) focused on the Biodiversity Planning Toolkit. This innovative creative tool helps the planning community to contribute to the conservation, enhancement and sustainable use of bio- and geo-diversity. Animated scenarios on the interactive landscape include flying bats, swooping barn owls, active wind turbines and moving trains to bring the traditional website to life and clarify bio- and geo-diversity conservation issues.

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The presentations covered a wide range of current topics including Biodiversity Offsetting (Defra), Implications of the Localism Bill (Forest Heath District Council), New ways of working at Natural England, the new District Ecologist’s post at Norfolk County Council and the Role of local record centres in landscape scale projects (Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service).

The presentations are now available to download from the Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership website. To view the toolkit visit: www.biodiversityplanningtoolkit.com/

Gen Broad introducing Marie Smith’s presentation on the Localism Bill and Biodiversity Photo: Sue Hooton

Suffolk Traditional Orchard Group SBP is delighted to announce that a bid to HLF for funding of £47,800 for the New and Old Orchards of Suffolk project has been successful. The project will start in November. The press release is available on the HLF website >

Bats and Microturbines Advice Note After extensive consultation with Local Authority planners, Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership’s Planning Support Group has published new guidance on the development of small wind turbines in the range of 5-250 kw in relation to bats. It provides a recommended approach for planners in the form of a clear, easy-to-follow flow chart. The advice note is available on the SBP website >

Project fund achievements Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership and Suffolk Naturalists’ Society co-funded a survey of a river in the Stowmarket area for native white-clawed crayfish. The survey (undertaken by Suffolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG)) were successful in finding a small population of the native crayfish in 3 of the 30 sites along a 7 km stretch of the river. The survey was commissioned urgently because the last known viable population of native crayfish at Chad Brook, near Long Melford, was affected by the deadly crayfish plague during the summer. The FWAG report makes recommendations for conservation action which will be Adult female white-clawed crayfish found in the survey.

Photo: Gen Broad

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followed up by the Suffolk White-Clawed Crayfish Ark Project (Partners: Environment Agency, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, FWAG, SBP).

Waveney Green Web Project Partners: Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Creating The Greenest County; funded by Waveney Local Strategic Partnership.

SBP has worked with Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Project Officer at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve and Suffolk County Council ecologists to bring the Waveney Green Web (WGW) to schools in the surrounding area. SWT’s Project Officer spoke in the schools on the theme of ‘Nature reserves are not enough’, alongside practical activities such as pond dipping and making bird boxes. Each school had a pack comprising information about habitats appropriate to their school grounds and WGW site markers. We are grateful to HMP Blundeston for supplying bird, bat and hedgehog boxes.

Suffolk Coastal Green Web Project Partners: Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB Project, Suffolk Coastal District Council, Creating The Greenest County; funded by Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership.

SBP is delighted to announce that funding has been confirmed for this project, following on from the successful Green Web project in Waveney district. The aim is to create a green network across the district linking wildlife-friendly spaces within school grounds, business premises, highways, local nature reserves, public green space and County Wildlife Sites. Each site will be assessed independently, but appropriate actions might include putting up bat, bird and hedgehog boxes, changing maintenance programmes to favour a diverse sward and planting native shrub and tree hedges. Funding is available for community initiatives and schools.

INFORMATION and NEWS Funding opportunities SITA Trust Enriching Nature Progamme The Trust has committed £8m in new funds to this programme. In 2011 a total of £2.7m has been allocated with £300,000 for each of England’s 9 biodiversity regions including the East of England. Applicants may request up to £120,000 for an individual project.

Deadline for applications: 4 November 2011.

Visit SITA Trust > Viridor Credits The Landfill Communities Fund (previously Landfill Tax Credit Scheme) provides funding for community or environmental projects within ten miles of landfill sites. In Suffolk, the only site is at Wangford. If your project provides, conserves, restores or enhances a natural habitat, or maintains or recovers a species from its habitat on land or in water within 10 miles of Wangford the project may be eligible for funding. 10% third party funding from an independent source will be needed e.g. from a local authority, a club, an individual or a charity.

Visit Viridor Credits >

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UK Mammals Grants (UK) The People's Trust for Endangered Species is inviting applications from voluntary conservation organisations, scientific researchers, individuals and consortia needing financial support for work that relates to the conservation of mammals, to apply for funding of up to £30,000 through their UK mammals grant programme. The trust aims to fund scientific research, practical habitat management work, reintroduction and monitoring programmes and educational projects. Priority will be given to those projects aimed at furthering the aims of Biodiversity Action Plans and similar initiatives. The average grant given per project has been £9,000. Projects supported in the past include: Bats in the Lake District; monitoring of UK bat species in underground sites; and monitoring Irish pine martens.

Deadline for applications: 1 November 2011.

Visit People’s Trust for Endangered Species > British Ecological Society (BES)– Centenary Ecology Fund As part of its planned centenary celebrations in 2013, the BES has launched a new funding scheme. The Centenary Ecology Fund will provide funding for ecological themed activities and events to take place between Saturday 15 June and Sunday 4 August 2013 to celebrate the Centenary Festival of Ecology. Applicants must be an accredited museum or gallery, local authority registered community group, registered charity, university or other academic institution and must be able to demonstrate a strong background of communicating science to public audiences.

Contact julie@britishecologicalsociety.org for details and an application form.

Deadline for applications: 16 December 2011. http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/about_bes/centenary.php Sustainable Development Fund Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB Sustainable Development Fund is for projects that enhance and/or benefit the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Projects previously supported can be seen on the AONB website, grants available from £1,000+. Projects should be match funded, grants available for up to 75% of the project costs.

Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB SDF website > Dedham Vale AONB SDF website >

Essex & Suffolk Water Branch Out Project Working in partnership to reconnect habitats for the benefit of people and wildlife This initiative will encompass a number of projects with the aim of helping the region build resilience and adapt to the changing climate whilst bringing benefits to water, wildlife and communities. Our partners will include other utility companies, conservation organisations, farmers/landowners, local authorities and the general public.

Fund now open for applications.

To find out more visit Essex & Suffolk Water website >

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LOCAL NEWS Suffolk Coast & Heaths Summer and Autumn newsletters Topics in the newsletters include a visit by Richard Benyon MP, Minister for the Natural Environment, to the AONB in June, the launch of the EU BALANCE project, the future of the public forest estate in the AONB, £1m awarded for pioneering ‘Touch the tide’ project, new AONB fact sheets for 7-11 year olds, wires go underground at Chillesford, Estuaries update and more…

To download the newsletters, visit the Suffolk Coast and Heaths website >

GeoSuffolk Times Have you visited Nacton cliff - London Clay, lithologies and landslides - a County Geosite?

A walk along the wooded London Clay slopes and shores of our south Suffolk estuaries is always a pleasure in autumn and at Nacton you can see the best exposure of London Clay in Suffolk.

To find out more about the walk, read about Dunwich Museum, Little Hall at Lavenham and more, download the GeoSuffolk Times at the GeoSuffolk website >

Anglian Woodland Project – In Leaf Autumn 2011 Articles include: FC adapt to budget cuts, Grant and regulation contacts, Deer management and venison support, Forest Health Day, Cobnuts and nutteries, Jubilee Woods and 10 years of Green Light Trust WildSpace.

In-Leaf Woodfuel Supplement – packed with information and essential reading for anyone interested in sustainable management of woodlands.

Both documents can be downloaded from the SBP website > News page

Greening Galleywood – placing wildlife into the heart of a parish A project report to encourage and guide other local communities who may wish undertake volunteer work to improve their local wild life environment. Residents of Galleywood (near Chelmsford) were advised and guided by Essex Biodiversity Project. The report making for interesting reading and includes refreshing chapters on What we did Right and What we could have done differently. The report can be downloaded at Yudu >

Biodiversity News in Norfolk – August & September 2011 Articles include: new format report from NBIS that showcases environmental data for north Norfolk; How new technology is helping with badger recording; A gall-wasp survey; Records of a rare bee; Matchstick flapwort records; Big Urban Wildlife Watch results; New Norfolk surveys (moths; invasive alien species); The new District Ecologist post at Norfolk County Council; Publication of the first NBIS ‘State of the Environment’ report; Proposed Marine Conservation Zones off the North Norfolk coast and breeding spoonbills at Holkham. To download the newsletters, visit the NBIS website > Snippets from Suffolk flood and Coastal news Shoreline Management Plans (SMP) Essex & South Suffolk SMP This has now been adopted/endorsed by all local authorities and the Regional Flood & Coastal Committee - subject to Ministerial approval of the Statement of Case for compliance with the Habitats Regulations. The Statement of Case has been delayed by important saltmarsh survey work in Essex, but will be delivered to the Minister in the near future.

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Suffolk SMP The Statement of Case associated with this SMP has now received Ministerial approval. It will now be taken to Waveney and Suffolk Coastal District Council's Cabinets in November, for adoption. This will be followed by a public launch and ongoing work to deliver the action plan associated with the SMP. Kelling to Lowestoft SMP has been further delayed due to the change of administration at North Norfolk District Council, who are leading the work. This SMP affects the areas in Suffolk to the north of Lowestoft.

Rare Wildlife in Martlesham Creek During recent work on river walls at Ramsholt, Pettistree and Martlesham Creek being progressed by the Deben Estuary Partnership, with funding from Suffolk County Council and the Environment Agency, a wildlife survey has identified one of Britains rarest snails, the Narrow-mouth Whorl Snail (Vertigo angustior) as well as water voles and reptiles. Wall repair work is going ahead but with great care and supervision to ensure the wildlife and habitats are safeguarded.

Marine & Coastal Access Act Marine Plans The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has started on the UK’s first ever marine plans off the east coast of England, between Felixstowe and Flamborough Head. There will be workshops in November for all the main stakeholders prior to a more refined plan being ready for wider discussion in the early spring 2012. For more details see http://www.marinemanagement.org.uk/marineplanning/index.htm Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ) Three new Marine Conservation Zones have been proposed on the Suffolk coast and submitted to NE and JNCC. The two regional projects, Netgain and Balanced Seas, are now winding down. Once the recommendations, the Impact Assessment, Natural England's and JNCC’s advice have been received, Ministers will consider the supporting evidence and potential environmental, social and economic impacts, before deciding sites to take forward for designation. The public consultation on sites Government intends to designate will be an opportunity for people to review, comment and feedback to Government on the proposed designation decisions before they are finalised.

To sign up for the newsletter, please contact Jane Burch, Flood & Coastal Policy Manager, Suffolk County Council email: jane.burch@suffolk.gov.uk, tel: 01473 264782

Recommended Marine Conservation Zone – Balanced Seas The Stour and Orwell Estuary is one of the MCZs recommended by the Balanced Seas project, covering 87 km2. The broad scale habitats within the site comprise low energy intertidal rock, intertidal mixed sediments and subtidal coarse sediment. Other habitats and species of interest include blue mussels beds, honeycomb worm reef Sabellaria alveolata, oyster beds, rossworm Sabellaria spinulosa, seagrass beds, starlet sea anenomes and tentacled lagoon worm. The site will partially overlap with the Stour and Orwell Estuaries SSSIs. For further information, visit the Balanced Seas website > MCZ Project newsletter No. 6 September 2011 can be downloaded here > The Final Reports on the four English MCZ projects have now submitted their recommendations for MCZs and Reference Areas to Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Balanced Seas and Net Gain relate to Suffolk and can be found at www.balancedseas.org and www.netgainmcz.org

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Anglian Business GREEN 50 The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and the Creating the Greenest County Partnership are pleased to be working in partnership with the East Anglian Daily Times to deliver the first “Anglian Business GREEN 50” which will recognise enterprises and individuals that are making a significant contribution towards Suffolk’s aim of being the Greenest County.

This is your chance as a business to show everybody in Suffolk how you are contributing to this effort. When we use the term ‘business’ we use this as a catchall to encompass voluntary, not for profit and private and public sector organisations. Please tell us as much about your green business as you are able. Go to www.eadt.co.uk/green50 for further information.

Biodiversity in the East of England To find out what’s going on in our region, check the websites for the county Biodiversity Partnerships forum: Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Luton, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and the East of England Biodiversity Forum website >

NATIONAL NEWS Environment Agency name top 10 most wanted invasive species The EA have listed the following as their ‘top 10 most wanted’ invasive species: Killer shrimp, Water primrose, Floating pennywort, American Signal crayfish, Topmouth gudgeon, Giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, Himalyan balsam, Mink and Parrot’s feather.

The EA advises anyone who finds these plants in their garden or pond to visit the GB Non-native species Be plant wise website for advice on how to remove and dispose of them. The agency also urged river users to contact them immediately on 03708 506 506 if they suspect that they have seen killer shrimp in their local waterway.

For more information, click here >

UK animals back from the brink of extinction From the Environment blog of the Guardian 18 August 2011 The red kite, pine marten, ladybird spider, water vole, corncrake and large blue butterflies have all ‘bucked the trend for dwindling populations and returned from the brink of extinction in the UK’.

To read the article, visit The Guardian website >

Reptile mitigation guidelines published by Natural England Following consultation with ARG members, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation staff, ecological consultants and other volunteers at workshops at the Herpetofauna Workers' meeting the reptile mitigation guidelines were published by Natural England on 9 September.

To find out about the guidelines, read about the Sticky Tongue Project and other news, visit the Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK website >

IEEM Masterclass series – new for 2011/12 IEEM has announced the launch of its new Masterclass Series. These are aimed at providing specialist advice on key subject areas to more experienced members. The sessions will provide detailed and up to date information as well as the opportunity to

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discuss their own scenarios. The following masterclasses are now available, but more will be announced. Check the IEEM website for information: • Protected Species: How Local Planning Authorities Should Discharge Their Legal Duties • European Protected Species: Legal Training Seminar for Commercial Ecological Consultants Visit the IEEM website >

£340 k HLF grant for bumblebee conservation The Bumblebee Conservation Trust will begin work with 300 farmers and landowners and up to 20,000 members of the public from across the UK to raise awareness of these important pollinators and help conserve up to 1,200ha of precious habitat. Volunteers have played a key role in the development of this project and will take part in a variety of workshops and training activities including bumblebee recording.

To find out more, visit the Bumblebee Conservation Trust >

National Planning Policy Framework consultation “Hands off Britain’s Countryside” The Telegraph is leading a campaign to persuade the Government to rethink its dangerous planning reforms. By Geoffrey Lean 1 September To read the article, visit the Telegraph website > “English wildlife sites under threat from planning reforms” Wildlife Trusts warn proposed 'sustainable development' changes to planning rules do not recognise key nature. Press Association 20 September To read the article, visit the Guardian website >

“Nature vital to our health, wealth and happiness” The true value of the UK’s wildlife and habitats has been revealed in two research reports published by Defra. The reports estimate the wildlife covered by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is worth approximately £1.5 billion per year to the UK. The two reports – ‘The Benefits of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in England and Wales’ and ‘Economic valuation of the benefits of ecosystem services delivered by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan’ – examined a variety of ways through which people benefit from efforts to protect wildlife and habitats in a number of ways. To find out more, visit the Defra website >

2020 Vision – the Lowdown September 2011 2020VISION is the most ambitious nature photography project ever staged in the UK. It aims to engage and enthuse a massive audience by using innovative visual media to convey the value of restoring our most important but often fragmented habitats - to show that healthy ecosystems are not just for wildlife, but are something fundamental to us all.

To find out more and sign up for the newsletter, visit the 2020 Vision website >

Back from the brink – Environment Agency reveals the most improved rivers On 30 August, the Environment Agency released a list of the10 most improved rivers. A river that once ran black with coal is now an international match fishing destination.

Another so polluted that it was described as ‘an affront to a civilised society’ is now a home for salmon, otters and water voles. And a London river that was officially declared a sewer in the 1960s has become one of the best urban fisheries in the country.

To find out which 10 rivers have improved the most, visit the EA’s website >

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Wildlife Extra This is an on-line newsletter for ‘people who like wildlife, who like watching wildlife, who like conserving wildlife, who like photographing wildlife and who like hearing the latest wildlife news’. Subscribe free to Wildlife Extra >

Assessing population status of the great crested newt in Great Britain – NECR080. Natural England report The great crested newt is strictly protected under EU and UK legislation. The government is required to undertake surveillance to assess the status of the species, in terms of population, range and habitat. This report “reviews and evaluates past attempts at assessing population status of great crested newts; Proposes new approaches to population status assessment; Discusses metrics that have been used, or could be used, to assess population status; Presents the methods and results of models used to predict population status; and Makes recommendations for how population status could be assessed in future reporting rounds. To download the report, visit the NE website >

England Biodiversity Strategy published Defra has published Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services. This is the new England Biodiversity Strategy which aims to halt the loss of England’s habitats and species. It follows from the global agreement reached at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) conference held in Nagoya, Japan, in 2010 and outlines how England will meet the internationally agreed targets to reduce the loss of species and habitats by 2020.

The strategy includes a commitment ‘to halt overall biodiversity loss, support healthy wellfunctioning ecosystems and establish coherent ecological networks, with more and better places for nature for the benefit of wildlife and people.’ It sets out 4 overarching outcomes: maintaining and enhancing habitats and ecosystems on land; protecting and restoring marine habitats, ecosystems and fisheries; improving the status of wildlife and preventing further loss of threatened species and increasing the number of people engaged in biodiversity issues. Download the Strategy from the Defra website >

Biodiversity skills gap The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management has published the report Ecological Skills: Shaping the Profession for the 21st Century. The report concludes that, whilst many core areas of ecology knowledge and skill are adequately covered by existing higher education courses and continuing professional development provision, there are a number of gaps that need to be addressed, and many of these relate to specialist biodiversity understanding. The report states that the failure to fill these gaps could undermine the UK’s capacity to meet the post-Nagoya 2020 and 2050 biodiversity targets.

Download the report at the IEEM website >

International Press Centre for Biodiversity Research The website is an initiative of ALTER-Net and provides a biodiversity news service. http://www.biodiversityresearch.net/

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WHAT’S ON Woodwose – an outdoor festival on the Suffolk coast 15-29 October. 29 October 10.30 am and 2.00 pm Woodbridge Tree Trail walks Includes National Trust events at Dunwich Heath, Sutton Hoo and Orford Ness, RSPB wildlife walks and migration watch, English Heritage Halloween family event and Suffolk Wildlife Trust events at Carlton Marshes, Foxburrow Farm and more…

To check events, visit www.woodwose.org or tel. 01394 444538.

Forest Health Day seminar Forest Enterprise and the Forestry Commission 28 October 10.00 am to 16.00 pm The Santon Downham Centre, Brandon, IP27 0TG Forest Research scientists will provide an update on tree insect pests and diseases, including acute oak decline, red band needle blight, Phytophthora ramorum, oak processionary moth and pine weevil.

Event is suitable for forestry and woodland managers and agents, forestry woodland owners, and those working in forestry and woodlands.

Further information: tel: 01842 816010 or email: enquiries.eanglia@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Natural Heritage Survey, Tracking down the elusive dormouse Managing a masterpiece – the Stour Valley Landscape Partnership 29 October Alphamstone Village Hall 09.30 – 13.00 5 November Polstead Village Hall 09.30 – 13.00 Come and find out about this secretive and rare small mammal and how to detect their presence by searching for hazel nuts. We will also explore other mammal tracks and signs along the way. Each session is led by Dr Simone Bullion, Senior Conservation Adviser with Suffolk Wildlife Trust and author of ‘The Mammals of Suffolk’.

Book in advance by phoning Simone Bullion (01473 890089) or email simone.bullion@suffolkwildlifetrust.org To find out more about Managing a Masterpiece, visit www.managingamasterpiece.org

IEEM Annual Conference – Rebuilding biodiversity 2-3 November The Liner Hotel, Lord Nelson Street, Liverpool L3 5QB This conference aims to inform delegates of the strategic and practical approaches to conserving and rebuilding biodiversity in the UK. The conference will paint the 'European picture'; examine current biodiversity conservation tools available (including biodiversity offsetting); consider the evidence base for priority actions (biodiversity auditing as well as recent climate change research); and feature practical case studies (small and large scale) in the terrestrial and aquatic sectors.

To book and for further information visit the IEEM website >

Habitat management for lower plants and fungi 8 November Ref SW2 Cleeve, North Somerset Facilitator: Justin Smith All events must be booked in advance. Book and pay on-line at www.floralocale.org , email info@floralocale.org or ring 01672 515723 for further information and to reserve a place. All events are charged at our standard fees unless otherwise stated.

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NBN Conference 2011 - "Evolution or revolution? The impact of technologies on biological recording 18 November 10.00 am – 16.30 pm The Royal Society, London The conference will focus on the tools and resources available through the NBN and the services offered by the new look NBN Gateway.

Speakers include Rt. Hon. Richard Benyon MP, Minister for the Natural Environment and Fisheries, Charles Hussey (NHM), David Roy (CEH), Martin Horlock (NBIS) and Becky Seeley (MBA) amongst others.

Bookings close 31 October 2011, Cost £50 To book, visit the NBN conference website >

Propagating and planting tree seeds for woodland creation projects – Flora Locale training event Ref E4 10 November Cranfield, Bedfordshire Facilitator: Colin Carpenter All events must be booked in advance. Book and pay on-line at www.floralocale.org , email info@floralocale.org or ring 01672 515723 for further information and to reserve a place. All events are charged at our standard fees unless otherwise stated.

2011 Woodland Communication Day (Suffolk County Council, Confor, County Land & Business Association, Anglian Woodfuel, Forestry Commission) 11 November 10.00 am. Horringer Community Centre, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5RY Catch up on latest industry news, partnership working, make new contacts and share knowledge.

Topics include: Forestry industry updates - Independent Forestry Panel, Diseases, UK Forestry Standard, Deregulation Task Force, UKWAS revision, RDPE funding); Biodiversity - Woodland County Wildlife Woodland Sites Project, The Carbon Code, Biodiversity Off-setting; Timber quality & training - A view from Woodland Heritage; National Tree Safety Group – guidance explained.

Further information and booking: Gary Battell, Suffolk County Council email: gary.battell@suffolk.gov.uk; tel - 01473 264776

50 years of action for Suffolk’s wildlife 1961 - 2011 To mark Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s 50th year, SWT has a year of wildlife celebrations showcasing some of the county’s best wildlife moments.

November 16th Starling roost at Lackford Lakes, November 27th Starling roost at Hen Reedbeds, December 14th Gull roost at Lackford Lakes.

Book in advance by calling Brooke House on 01473 890089. Cost: £3 per person payable on the day. Visit Suffolk Wildlife Trust website >

Learning to look after your newly planted trees and hedges 18 November 10.00 am to 1.00 pm Suffolk Coastal Countryside Team Meet at Waldringfield Village Hall. Join the SCDC Countryside team for a morning of practical work and advice at Waldringfield’s ‘Church Field’. This is a 5 acre area of former farmland that has been transformed into a beautiful and inspirational natural area for the whole community to enjoy.

To book and for further information, tel. 01394 444619.

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Catchment Delivery: towards more effective environmental and societal benefits 23 November 09.00 – 16.00 University of London The Minister for the Natural Environment, Richard Benyon, will be delivering the keynote speech outlining how the Government see the development of the catchment based approach. Topics: major programmes, Water Framework Directive, governance focussed on delivery.

For more information, visit the CMS website >

Gobal Business for Biodiversity Symposium II 28 November 08.00 am to 16.00 pm, IET London, Savoy Place Includes keynote contributions from the Rt Hon Caroline Spellman MP, UK Environment Secretary and from the CBD, EU and UNFF. The two themes are biodiversity and forests.

The aim is to explore policy developments alongside emerging perspectives from businesses, governments and NGOs and on science governance. The conference will showcase how business can be more effective stewards of biodiversity and gain business benefits and competitive advantage as a result. Contributors include executive speakers from major international and national corporations including PwC, Puma, BASF, Danone, UPM, Shell, Trucost, DOW and PepsiCo. Further information, visit Global Business for Biodiversity Symposium

Great Crested Newts, licensing and mitigation training – Advanced 29 November – 1 December Preston Montfield Field Centre, Shrewsbury, SY4 1DX This course has been designed for ecologists who are ready to take responsibility for great crested newt licensing and mitigation projects. It will also be useful for local government ecologists and planners who need to comment on great crested newt issues.

Cost: £325 inc. 2 nights full board Further information and booking: Field Studies Council email: enquiries.pm@field-studies-council.org tel: 0845 330 7378

Amphibian & Reptile Conservation and British Herpetological Society 4 December 09.30 – 17:00 Lecture Hall, Bournemouth Natural History Society, BH1 3NS Cost: £20 members, £38 non-members The agenda includes: Amphibian and reptile cognition, loggerhead turtles, grass snakes, Ranavirus and Herpetofauna surveys in Madagascar.

To book visit http://www.arc-trust.org/ or www.thebhs.org

The Biodiversity 2020 Strategy: a new framework for the future of biodiversity conservation 13 December 10.40 am to 15.15 pm. Westminster, London Issues to be addressed: • What does the strategy mean for the stakeholders who will implement it?

• How does the strategy compliment the Natural Environment White Paper?

• Creating net biodiversity gain by 2020: How will we deliver this?

• What progress has been made implementing the core recommendations in the White Paper?

• The role of Local Authorities: What further action is needed?

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The natural environment and planning policy: Do the National Planning Policy Framework and the Localism Bill safeguard the protection of the natural environment?

Cost: £225, £175 for two or more places, £150 Third sector & Charity rate For further information, visit the Westminster Briefing website >

2012 Herpetofauna Workers Meeting.

27-29 January 2012 Telford international Centre, Shropshire, Details to be announced.

Various wildlife events - Suffolk Wildlife Trust, National Trust , RSPB, Butterfly Conservation Suffolk Branch, Suffolk Moth Group, Suffolk Fungus Group, Suffolk Ornithologists Group, Suffolk Naturalists Society

SBP INFORMATION If you would like to share information on how your organisation is benefiting biodiversity in Suffolk, please send your article to Gen Broad, Suffolk Biodiversity Officer (tel: 01473 264308, Mobile: 0789 4885337, email: gen.broad@suffolk.gov.uk ) Please note that Gen works part-time; usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Publication dates The newsletter is published in March, June, September and December.

Deadline for December 2011 newsletter: Friday 16th December.

SBP is a partnership comprised of conservation organisations, statutory bodies, local authorities, businesses, not-for-profit organisations and community groups working together throughout Suffolk to protect biodiversity. The UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan is delivered at a local level by members of the Partnership – for further information visit www.suffolkbiodiversity.org

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Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership Babergh District Council, Center Parcs–Elveden, Environment Agency, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, Essex & Suffolk Water, Forestry Commission, Forest Heath District Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, National Trust, Natural England, RSPB, St. Edmundsbury Borough Council, Suffolk Biological Records Centre, Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Suffolk Coastal District Council, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Naturalists Society, Waveney District Council.

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